Back Story

The Island: Originally named “Industrial Island,” Granville Island’s history is one of constant change. Factories built in the 1920s were abandoned during the Depression years but resurfaced again during World War II. In the 1950s, a typhoid epidemic closed down the remaining businesses. Preservationists transformed the island into an urban success story in the late 1970s. The area became a tourist destination and the site of one of Canada’s most popular public markets.

B.C. Equipment Ltd.’s wood-frame machine shop still stands on the west end of the island. With its distinctive tin roof, the building houses a portion of the Granville Island Public Market and is a reminder of the island’s past.

Impressions

On our first visit to the Granville Public Market, we took the Aquabus from downtown Vancouver to the island. Our first stop inside the Public Market was at the Blue Parrot Espresso Bar. We needed an energy boost to work our way through the market’s bounty of artisan foods, ethnic restaurants, and tempting products.

At the Public Market’s farm stalls, we were envious of the locals who could fill their pantries with all the fresh fruits and vegetables and top quality meats, seafood, jams, jellies, and staples. If only our hotel room had a kitchen, we could have joined them.

For lunch, we had many mouthwatering choices. Would it be Italian pasta, Indian curry, Greek gyros, Canadian salmon, Japanese sashimi, British fish and chips, Mexican burritos, German bratwurst or Chinese chop suey? We could also get freshly baked artisanal breads, locally made cheese and honey from the Chilliwack River Valley.

Tourist Wise

Granville Public Market’s day vendors offer a wide variety of locally made artwork, crafts, and souvenirs representative of British Columbia. Day vendors operate on a rotating schedule, so the selection of their products fluctuates each week. Other shops and restaurants on the island are plentiful and buskers entertain on the cobblestone streets.

Foodies note: The Farmer’s Market is only open on Thursdays. Vancouver Foodie Tours offers the inside scoop on how to select the best food products from the region.

Travel Tips

You can easily access the Granville Island Public Market by boat, bus, car, bike or on foot. Drivers be aware the island is pedestrian friendly. Parking is limited.